Hospitality workers decry ‘slave labour’ conditions

Friday, January 09, 2026 | 110 Views |

Beauty and the beast: Hospitality workers say beneath the tourist wonders lies work-place heartache PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

The Botswana Hotel, Catering, Travel and Tourism Workers Union (BHCTTWU) has levelled allegations of employee exploitation against the tourism and hospitality industry, citing problematic practices such as short-term contracts, low wages, long hours, and predatory staff rationalisation.

Presenting the laundry list of issues at a press briefing held amidst the Botswana Federation of Public, Private and Parastatal Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU), Nicholas Motiki, the BHCTTWU executive secretary, said the COVID-19 pandemic was one of the catalysts of the growing employee exploitation.

“Most of the big hotel chains in Botswana implemented ‘staff rationalisation’ during that period and have not looked back, regardless of the end of the pandemic,” he said.

Already have an active account? Log in here.

Or Sign up and get unlimited access to premium articles.

tourism

Botswana sets ambitious tourism targets to drive sector growth

Larona Makhaiza |
28 April 2026

Let’s fully exploit benefits of hosting major international events

Thuso Palai |
28 April 2026

Flying the flag: Increasing numbers of global events are being hosted in Botswana PIC: EMMANUEL SIWAWA

World Bank flags critical gaps in Botswana’s tourism sector

Larona Makhaiza |
23 April 2026

Minister of Environment and Tourism, Wynter Mmolotsi

Selefu

Larona Makhaiza | 27 m ago

CCA settles with Hollard; case proceeds vs BIC, Old Mutual

Mbongeni Mguni | 5 h ago

Gaolathe engages Dangote

Mbongeni Mguni | 22 h ago

Fresh audit exposes COVID spending chaos

Mbongeni Mguni | 2d ago

Selefu

joey kambai | 1d ago

DPP strengthens response to GBV cases

Mpho Mokwape | 1d ago

AAB marks 30 years with bold vision

Kabelo Boranabi | 2d ago

Pursuit for Kgosi Sekai’s scalp continues

Innocent Selatlhwa | 2d ago

Justice delayed is trust denied

Batswana who marched peacefully for 'Justice for Tshepi' demanded answers. They have now received a detailed account of police investigation and a promise that the file is with the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The real test is whether the state now keeps its word without further prodding. In his address, the minister asked the nation to trust the process. He spoke of rigour, not neglect, and pointed to 10 months of...

The Monitor Editor | 28 April 2026

About us

Mmegi is the leading independent source of breaking news, latest news, current
affairs, Politics, Business, Sport, debates, analysis, and entertainment news in Botswana.

Hospitality workers decry ‘slave labour’ conditions

The Botswana Hotel, Catering, Travel and Tourism Workers Union (BHCTTWU) has levelled allegations of employee exploitation against the tourism and hospitality industry, citing problematic practices such as short-term contracts, low wages, long hours, and predatory staff rationalisation.

Explore

More

Selefu

CCA settles with Hollard; case proceeds vs BIC, Old Mutual

Gaolathe engages Dangote

Fresh audit exposes COVID spending chaos

Selefu

DPP strengthens response to GBV cases

AAB marks 30 years with bold vision

Pursuit for Kgosi Sekai’s scalp continues

Justice delayed is trust denied